This 18-day celebration is among the largest winter festivals, featuring ice canoe races, snow baths, and a towering 45-foot ice polar bear.

For 69 years, the residents of Québec have welcomed the cold instead of shying away from it. When temperatures drop to single digits, they flock to Québec City for one of the world's largest winter carnivals, the Carnaval de Québec.

This year, to mark its 70th anniversary, the Carnaval de Québec will be extended to a full 18 days and will include a variety of new activities and events. The festivities begin on January 25 and continue until February 11, featuring beloved outdoor events such as ice canoe races, evening parades, ice bars, and stunning snow sculptures.

In celebration of this milestone, the carnival has introduced exciting new attractions this year. Three city hills will be transformed into “slide city,” offering sledding and tubing from January 25 to 28, where you can glide down the streets of Québec and enjoy free entertainment at the bottom. Another addition is the ice cross, a challenging skating track with obstacles available throughout the festival.

From February 2 to 11, ice climbers of all skill levels can ascend a massive 45-foot-tall polar bear, which features ice climbing routes on its legs and a via ferrata course on its back. This year also brings a 20-foot-high urban zip line and an engaging laser tag game in downtown Québec City.

In addition to a mix of classic and new activities aimed at keeping everyone warm, the event schedule is packed with options available every hour of the day. Highlights include an ice sculpture garden where talented sculptors create stunning works before your eyes (plus an ice sculpting workshop), a renowned ice canoe race on the icy St. Lawrence River, a vibrant night parade, and a community-wide snow bath where participants frolic in the snow wearing swimsuits. A silent disco and numerous live music performances, including a grand opening event on January 25 featuring nearly 50 artists, enhance the festive vibe.

The festival's highlight is Bonhomme, the Canadian cousin of Frosty the Snowman. As the mascot of Carnaval de Québec, he appears at all major events. From February 2 to 11, you can explore his multi-story ice palace, and on January 27, he will host a masked ball in the ballroom of the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac.

In summary, the 70th anniversary of the Carnaval de Québec is set to be a delightful, albeit chilly, affair. To attend, purchase the $22 “Effigy” pass online here, or grab one at participating Couche-Tard convenience stores in the Québec City area. You can also buy it at the carnival entrance between February 2 and 11.